By Mitchell Clarke
A concerned neighbour is worried about the welfare of a number of alleged squatters who are believed to have been living out of a house in a slip lane off the Princes Highway in Pakenham.
The Gazette understands as many as five people had been seeking refuge in two abandoned houses but as of Monday 16 September, those houses were demolished to make way for a proposed childcare centre.
While the circumstances surrounding the events are relatively unclear, a number of onlookers are unimpressed, claiming a red vehicle is filled to the brim with possessions, resulting in clothing and other items strewn across the footpath.
One neighbouring resident said he began noticing activity at the property a couple of weeks ago, stating he’d often hear a number of people coming and going, usually in the middle of the night.
“They didn’t bother me until now but this rubbish all over the path isn’t a good look at all,” he said.
“I’d say a person’s whole life is in that vehicle.”
But one woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, said rather than worrying about the eyesore, neighbours should focus on assisting vulnerable people in their time of need.
“They’re really nice people and they’ve just got nowhere to go,” the woman said.
“We’re neighbours and we should all be looking after one another.”
The woman who lives nearby to the property claims incidents like this are pure examples of how Cardinia’s homelessness issue is only getting worse.
“This is like a third world country on our doorstep, this is Pakenham, and these people are humans and they have feelings,” she said.
“They need a helping hand and I just feel like council and other local authorities need to do something.”
Victoria Police said they were aware that squatters had been using the property but as it was now demolished, they were unsure about the whereabouts of the people.
“There is nothing to suggest anything too untoward and we’re not investigating overall,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.
Cardinia Shire Council’s liveable community general manager Tracey Parker has since confirmed council had facilitated contact with appropriate services.
